The Holy life of Philip Nerius founder of the Congregation of the Oratory. To which is annexed a relation written by S. Augustine of the miracles in his dayes, wrought many of them in or near the city wherein he resided and well-known to him. And a relation of sundry miracles wrought at the monastery of Port-Royall in Paris, A.D. 1656. publikcly [sic] attested by many witnesses. / Translated out of a French copie published at Paris. 1656.

CHAP. XX. His Patience.

LEt us descend now to the vertue termed by the Saints the Touchstone of the rest, to wit, Pati∣ence: and we may truly affirm of Philips whole

life, that it was a daily and continuall exercise thereof. For first, omitting what hath been al∣ready spoken on this subject, He was the mockery for Courtiers in every Noblemans palace; who in de••ision enquired of his Scholars how Father Philip did; what Regalos he had eaten that Morning; how many Capons had been presented him; what delicate Cawdles the women his Penitents had sent him in; prating every day divers such things of him: So that the idle people throughout the City, in all the chief shops and Streets, talked of no∣thing else almost, but Philip and his Sons. All which came to his ear again, who not only bore it patiently, but even joyfully, that he leaped there∣at; and many astonished and admiring his mild de∣portment, others, who with the Rout had abused the B. man, all repenting of their rashness, magnifi∣ed and renouned his rare sanctity.

But some out of spleen, having an evill eye at the Institution of the Oratory, watched all occasions to defame and and asperse him, under colour of pretended Piety and Religion. It hapned that one, Philip living at S. Hieroms, in Service, was for his Society with a woman clapt up in prison by the Seriants, whereupon his Enemies gave out in the City that F. Philip was cast into Prison about a matter of women. This the B. Father hearing of pitied the men, and in patience and silence passed it over.

He went to a Prelate one time, to mediate for a Noble Roman that lay in durance, unjustly charged with a Capitall crime. He not only refused to hear the truth, but so despitefully reviled the Servant of God, that they who were by could not but ad∣mire at the malice of the one, and meekness of the

other. The like hapned betwixt him and a Cardi∣nall, who abused by the tales of informers, had an ill opinion of the H. man: and meeting Philip in the City, sharply reproved him in the hearing of all He Good man undisturbed therewith, quietly laughed to himself, and coming a little nearer whispers the Cardinall in the ear; at which abat∣ing his former roughness, he used him, whom be∣fore he looked on as an offender, with civill re∣spect. There was at S. Johns Church of the Flo∣rentines, a Servant of some Noblemans, who on a sudden, without any cause offered, began with so much impotency to rail at Philip, that a Canon of S. Peters in the Vatican accidentally being by, not a∣ble to brook his incivility, would have laid hands on him, but that he saw Philip take all so cheer∣fully; concluding, he was a very holy person, however he were unknown to him.

Yea the Servant of God was not only affronted by strangers, but even those to whom he had done favours. There fell out once a business of impor∣tance in the Congregation, and a Letter coming to Philip (at that time Governour) about it; one of his Scholars, fearing it might carry with it some∣what concerning him repugnant to Philips liking, took the paper by force out of his hand; which in∣dignity he indured with such moderation, as he never discovered any tokens of displeasure for it, as long as he lived. Yet when he was neer his end, imi∣tating herein the Royal Prophet, he gave charge that the party after his decease should be rebuked, yet in love, that so he might both acknowledg his fault and obtain pardon of God. In short, that one commendation of his Patience might suffice, which Francis Rosanus an able Divine gave him in these

words:

Very sutable it was that Philip had his Residence at S. Hieroms; seeing he sustained no less brunts of opposition, than S Hierom did from his detractors.

And here it will not be unseasonable, to shew how almost all those, who most bitterly maligned him, either out of remorse of conscience soon de∣sisted from their malice, or became spectacles of Divine Vengeance very shortly. A certain man one time spake contemptibly of him, and indeed out of no ill will to him; the next day going abroad he fell headlong into a Ditch, and broke his Leg miserably, with the hazzard of his life: confessing, that he had certainly died, if out of hatred he had inveighed against the H. man; of whom ever after he could not endure any should speak ill.

A Lady of great Quality was dangerously sick, whom the R. Father resorted much unto, being her Confessor: hereupon her Nephew, fearing shee might leave the Congregation her Heir, forbade Philip coming any more to see his Aunt; yet did not the Devout man abstaine from his charitable service. In such wise, as he enraged thereat charged, none of the Servants should let him in: He still neglect∣ing all discourtesies he met with, continues to visit the Matron. The Priests of the Congregation, in the mean time doubting lest any mischief should befall him, were instant with him to forbea•• going thither: whom he answered; Brethren, ye know I have no other ends in going, save only the good of the Sick Persons soul; and for that, as oft as need is, I shall not spare to lay down my life: for what can fall out more gloriously for the Servant of Christ, than to dye for Christ? But because they urged him so im∣portunately; See, saith he, I shall indeed avoid the

danger, for shee who is now a drawing on, shall per¦fectly recover, but her Nephew, that is well, within fifteen dayes shall assuredly die. And not a tittle of his sayings failed, for fifteen dayes after he di••d.

He went one time to the Seven Churches of the City with his Sons; which a profane fellow hearing of spake on this wise to his Camerade, one, of the same stamp: Do not you know that the Hieronymians (for so the Fathers of the Congregation of the Ora∣tory were at that time called, especially by strang∣ers, from S. Hieroms a Charitate) go this morning to the Seven Churches, and have taken with them se∣ven Asses lad••n with severall sorts of Junkets? with these and the like fancies of their own, pleasing themselves and slandering the Servant of God. But within few dayes, by the secret judgment of God, he that belched out these impious calumnies was slain with the sword; and he that listned to him sickned and dyed.

A certain Prelate, whose name for modesties sake is omitted, had most fouly accused Philip to one of the Cardinalls, to the intent, that the mat∣ter being publikely taken notice of, the Order of the Oratory might be utterly ruined: and so hei∣nous were the imputations, that the Cardinall made the Pope acquainted with them. But Philip, though he knew all this, said never a word; Yea went of∣ten to the Cardinall, and though he were shrewdly and frequently reprehended by him, yet bore it patiently ever. In the mean time it hapned that the Monks of the Order of Mount Olivet impeached that Prelate of Apostatizing from their Order, which he took so to heart, that for very grief he fell sick, and in short space deceased. Yet Philip forgetting all injuries visited him much in his sick∣ness,

and hearing of his death lamented, bidding the H. Bible should be brought him, and presently opening the Book light upon those words in the Proverbs: Homo Apostata vir inutilis &c. A back∣sliding person, a wicked man walketh with a froward mouth, he winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers, frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually, he soweth dis∣cord; therefore shall his destruction come suddenly, suddenly shall he be broken without remedy. To men∣tion others, who persecuting the B. man accord∣ingly felt Gods revenging hand, is not thought convenient, in regard it may distast Posterity, and is therefore omitted.

But to proceed in the relation of Philips Patience: this Vertue had taken so deep rooting in his mind, that he not only quietly sustained injuries, but e∣ven loved his Adversaries with all his heart, pray∣ing most fervently to God for them. Besides he was of so sweet and affable a nature, that he was never known to be angry in good earnest, except against notorious debauchery, and the habits of Vice: for albeit he carryed a stern countenance toward his Scholars, the better to further their progress in piety, yet as soon as he, whom he had chidden, had but turned his back, the meek-spiri∣ted man cleared up again and looked as cheerfull a sever. He checked Ant. Gallonius somewhat se∣verely, and perceiving him troubled at it, coming nearer him, pleasantly said to him, Give me a kiss, Antony, for so it is my will and pleasure: which the Good old man did, to remove from his mind all sad∣ness and grief. He never looked sad; nay his ex∣cellent company pleased all: he was of so setled and untroubled a mind, that his Sons would say:

Do what wrong so ever to Father Philip it never moves nor disquiets him a jot. When it was told him, how some called him an Old bearded Dotard, he laugh∣ed, and even capered for joy. Another time hear∣ing one inveigh against the Order of the Oratory, as he preached, he shewed not the least sign of dislike thereat.

His Meekness and Patience appeared also in sus∣taining infirmities and indispositions of Body; for being often sick, and that for no little while, but sometimes fifty or threescore days together, inso∣much as he was four times anointed with the Sacred Oile, yet he alwayes shewed cheerfullness in his looks without any discovery of pain at all. So that once when the Doctors had given him quite o∣ver, and he perceived his Sons to be in great heavi∣ness for him, with a stout heart and loud voice he cried out, what is the matter Fathers, what is the matter, I say, that you are disquieted so? Eqidem paratus sum, & non sum turbatus; Truely I am Ready and not dismayed.

All the time that he was sick, he never spoke of his disease to any but Physicians. He was never known to complain; though his malady grew up∣on him, yet he scarce changed the tenor of his voice; such as came to him he entertained with his wonted courtesy; rather administring com∣fort to such as visited him, than receiving rom them. He ever took the Confessions of Penitents, except he were prohibited expresly by the Physi∣cians. If his Sons at any time wished him to for∣bear for a time, for his healths sake, his answer was; Let me alone, nothing is more pleasing to me than to hear confessions. It was ascribed to a mira∣cle also, that being on the sudden freed from his

disease he returned immediately to his charge; lying sick almost to death, as it might be to day, and to morrow betaking him more vigorously than before to the wonted offices of Religion. Which he attributing to a Divine hand, told the Physicians oft; Not you, but that same Box of H. Reliques (pointing to it with his finger) hath recovered me. They were given him by S. Carlo.

At S. Hieroms he was like to dye once, and being very thirsty modestly intreated Iulius Petruccius, a Nobleman of Siena that was by, to give him a cup of water with juice of a Pomgranate in it. And as Iu∣lius was about to sugar it, to abate the sharpness of the Pomgranate, suddenly appeared a young man whom he had never seen before, or after, who offered him a lump of Sugar, and so vanished. Ju∣lius gives Philip the drink, who, having drunk it up and slept a while on one side of the Bed, awaked, and said, I am well: Julius thinking of the Boy, and seeing none knew him, concluded it was an Angel sent from heaven to take care of the H. man: and Philip the day following went about his Spirituall affairs in as perfect health as ever.

Another time he was sick in the same House, so that the Physicians said there was no hopes of life, and they had newly given him the H. Eucharist, and prepared him by Extream Ʋnction for his de∣parture hence; there was present Pet. Victricius of Parma, an honourable Person, and one of the speciall and most intimate friends of Cardinall Boncompagnus, who afterward being Pop•• was called Gregory the XIII. he of his own accord was as∣sistant to Philip: who desiring him to reach him the Cup to wash his mouth, he did so; when Philip, Hezekiah like, turning his face to the wall, lay still

for the space of a quarter of an hour, not stirring; at length changing from that posture, he found himself well, and recovering his full strength rose, and followed his employments.

To come at last to his Rules of Patience, which he laid down. First he said, Nothing was more Noble or becoming a Christian, than to suffer for Christ; and that it was the sorest affliction, to want affliction. Therefore if his Scholars at any time complained, that they could not beare tribulati∣ons courageously; Say rather, quoth he, we are indeed unworthy of such an honour; for know, Gods love is to be measured by our sufferance. He alleag∣ed, that there was no speedier way to attain to a Contempt of the world, than by suffering ad∣versity, and misery: styling those unhappy men, that were not admitted into the discipline of this Schoole. Moreover he affirmed (yet in a good sense always) that there was no Purgatory a∣mong the living, but either Paradise or Hell: for those who contentedly endure afflictions, enioy the felicity of Paradise; but such as are impati∣ent under them, feel after a sort the torments of Hell. He said likewise, the unusuall joys and favours of the Spirit were the forerunners of a future temptation; that mans life is interwoven of comforts and tribulations; and that such as avoided one cross, should light upon another worse; that Vertue, as 'tis said, was to be made out of necessity; and for the most part men create themselves troubles.

By these and the like wholesome sentences the B. man did both animate himself and his to the pursuit of Patience.